Variable tilt collapsible shelf assembly

ABSTRACT

A variable tilt collapsible shelf assembly comprising a plurality of rotatably mounted shelf members vertically spaced from each other, a vertical stabilizer member hingedly connected to each of the shelf members, and linkage means for selectively changing the angular relationship between the stabilizer member and the shelf members to change the tilt thereof or collapse the entire assembly.

United States Patent 91 Plymate VARIABLE TILT COLLAPSIBLE SHELF ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Clay D. Plymate, 3609 E. Sunshine,

Springfield, Mo. 65804 1221 l-iled'. Dec. 14, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.1 315,205

[52] US. Cl. 108/6, 108/112 [51] Int. Cl. A47f 5/12 [58] Field of Search 108/6, 7, 8, 111, 112,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,005,566 6/1935 Schwabe 103/111 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT A variable tilt collapsible shelf assembly comprising a plurality of rotatably mounted shelf members vertically spaced from each other, a vertical stabilizer member hingedly connected to each of the shelf members, and linkage means for selectively changing the angular relationship between the stabilizer member and the shelf members to change the tilt thereof or collapse the entire assembly.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures VARIABLE TILT COLLAPSIBLE SHELF ASSEMBLY The present invention is generally related to shelf and table constructions and, more particularly, to a variable tilt collapsible shelf assembly for use as furniture or for use by commercial establishments for display purposes, or the like.

In the past, various multiple shelf structures have been proposed which were collapsible in nature to provide compact structures which occupied a minimum amount of space and were convenient to store. However, many such conventional shelf structures were limited in use, as the shelves could be adjusted to only one useful orientation. Shelf structures which included means for adjusting the shelf orientation or tilt were relatively complex in nature and, for the most part, costly to manufacture and unattractive in appearance.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel shelf assembly which is collapsible in nature and which includes means for expeditiously adjusting the tilt angle of the shelves without the use of complex mechanisms, or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique variable tilt collapsible shelf assembly which is of relatively simple construction, attractive in appearance, and adjustable in nature to provide different shelf angular orientations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a versatile variable tilt, collapsible shelf assembly which is of relatively simple construction, compact, strong, durable, and economical to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shelf assembly of the present invention with each of the shelf members in a horizontal orientation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shelf assembly shown in FIG. 1, but with the shelf members in a fully collapsed position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along section 3--3 of FIG. 1, with a phantom view of the shelf members tilted at an angle to the horizontal.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along section 44 of FIG. 2.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the shelf assembly of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral and includes a relatively rigid base 12, preferably of wood, and including a pair of spaced, vertical support members l4 and 16. A cross brace 18 extends transversely between support members 14 and 16 to provide additional strength and is appropriately shaped to enhance the overall appearance of the shelf assembly. A plurality of shelf members 20, 22, and 24 are disposed between and rotatably mounted to support members 14 and 16. The shelf members are vertically spaced from each other and mounted to provide selective rotation about generally horizontal axes. Preferably, each shelf member is generally planar in configuration and is provided with an upstanding peripheral lip portion as indicated at 26. A vertical stabilizer member 28, of elongated, rigid construction, is hingedly connected to each of the shelf members and serves to stabilize the shelf members in a selected orientation, as hereinafter explained.

Referring to FIG. 2 it will be appreciated that the shelf assembly of the present invention is collapsible in nature. The shelf members illustrated in FIG. 1 are maintained in substantially horizontal orientation, while in FIG. 2 they are shown in a fully collapsed position of generally vertical orientation. Changes in shelf orientation are achieved by movement of stabilizer member 28. As the stabilizer member is moved, the shelf members are simultaneously rotated about their respective axes. An adjustable turnbuckle 30, or other linkage means, maintains the shelf members in the desired orientation.

With reference to FIG. 3, operation of the shelf assembly to change shelf orientation may be more fully understood. As mentioned above, stabilizer member 28 is hingedly connected to each of the shelf members. This is achieved by way of conventional hinges, such as indicated at 32, fastened to the back edge of each shelf member and spaced from the axis of rotation indicated at 34. Preferably, turnbuckle linkage means 30 is of a conventional type provided with a pair of male threaded members 36 and 38 and an intermediate member 39. Member 38 is fastened to stabilizer member 28 by way of an eyelet 40, or other fastening means, at a point spaced from the hinge connection. Member 36 is similarly fastened to shelf member 24 at a point spaced from the associated hinge connection. Member 36 is similarly fastened to shelf member 24 at a point spaced from the associated hinge connection. Geometrically, the turnbuckle forms a triangle with portions of shelf member 24 and stabilizer member 28. Since the turnbuckle, shelf member, and stabilizer member are relatively rigid, the length of the turnbuckle determines the angular relationship between the stabilizer member and shelf members.

Turnbuckle 30, as shown in solid line in FIG. 3, is in a fully extended condition to maintain the shelf members in generally horizontal orientation. If the turnbuckle is shortened in length, the shelf members are rotated about their respective horizontal axes in a direc tion indicated by arrow 42. When the turnbuckle is fully tightened, the shelf members assume a tilted orientation of approximately 45, as shown in phantom. It will be appreciated that the shelf members may be set at any desired tilt between the horizontal and maximum tilt angle. Of course, the maximum tilt angle is dependent upon the length of the turnbuckle and its angular relationship to stabilizer member 28 and shelf member 24. If it is desired to fully collapse the shelf assembly to the condition shown in FIG. 2, such may be achieved by disconnecting the turnbuckleand moving the stabilizer member to its uppermost position.

Referring to FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that each shelf member may be rotatably mounted to support members Hand 16 byway of a pair of pivot pins or dowels 41, the opposite ends of which are disposed in bores formed in the shelf members and support members. During manufacture, the pivot pins may be inserted through the bore holes in support members 14 and 16 and wooden plugs 43 are subsequently glued in place. This provides a neat exterior appearance, permitting the shelf assembly to be finished off as a fine piece of furniture.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the shelf assembly of the present invention provides an expeditious means of simultaneously changing the tilt of orientation of a plurality of rotatably mounted shelf members. In addition, the shelf members may be fully collapsed, if desired, to provide a compact structure for storage purposes, or the like. Since the angle of tilt of the shelf members may be continuously adjusted, the assembly is highly versatile for display purposes by commercial establishments. The shelf assembly may be utilized in window displays, with products resting on the shelf members and prevented from sliding off by the raised peripheral lip portions 26. It will also be appreciated that since the overall shelf assembly is of relatively simple construction, it is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It should be noted that it is not intended that the assembly of the present invention be limited to the use of circular shelf members as illustrated in the drawings. If desired, the shelf members may be square, rectangular, or of other configurations and need not be provided with the semi-circular raised lip portion illustrated in the drawings. Furthermore, the assembly may be made from' materials other than woods, and the use of materials such as metals and plastics is deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention. Also, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the use of a turnbuckle linkage, as other appropriate variable to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A multipurpose shelf assembly comprising a pair of spaced, parallel upright support members, a plurality of shelves pivotally supported between said upright support members at points spaced vertically therealong for rotation about parallel horizontal axes fixed relative to said shelvesand said support members, an upright stabilizer member, means pivotally attaching vertically spaced points of said stabilizer member to points on said shelves spaced equally from the corresponding axes of rotation of said shelves for angular displacement of said shelves relative to said stabilizer member about axes paralleling the first mentioned axes and fixed relative to said shelves and said stabilizer member, whereby said support members, said shelves and said stabilizer member coact to define a parallelogram linkage assembly between said stabilizer and support members, and a single rigid adjustable length linkage member pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the lowermost shelf and the lower end portion of said stabilizer member, said stabilizer member being disposed in a vertical plane normal to an upstanding plane containing the axes of rotation of said shelves and spaced centrally between said spaced upstanding support members, said base including an undersurface adapted to rest upon a horizontal support surface and the lower end of said stabilizer member, when said shelves are substantially horizontal disposed, being horizontally aligned with said undersurface for also resting upon said horizontal support surface. 

1. A multipurpose shelf assembly comprising a pair of spaced, parallel upright support members, a plurality of shelves pivotally supported between said upright support members at points spaced vertically therealong for rotation about parallel horizontal axes fixed relative to said shelves and said support members, an upright stabilizer member, means pivotally attaching vertically spaced points of said stabilizer member to points on said shelves spaced equally from the corresponding axes of rotation of said shelves for angular displacement of said shelves relative to said stabilizer member about axes paralleling the first mentioned axes and fixed relative to said shelves and said stabilizer member, whereby said support members, said shelves and said stabilizer member coact to define a parallelogram linkage assembly between said stabilizer and support members, and a single rigid adjustable length linkage member pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the lowermost shelf and the lower end portion of said stabilizer member, said stabilizer member being disposed in a vertical plane normal to an upstanding plane containing the axes of rotation of said shelves and spaced centrally between said spaced upstanding support members, said base including an undersurface adapted to rest upon a horizontal support surface and the lower end of said stabilizer member, when said shelves are substantially horizontal disposed, being horizontally aligned with said undersurface for also resting upon said horizontal support surface. 